AIDS/HIV spread remains a big challenge to Ugandans despite the Presidenntial directive which makes it mandatory for every leader and citizen to integrate HIV awareness massage in every public gathering.
According to Uganda Aids Commission (UAC) the directive emphasizes that leaders should use meetings like burials, churches or any gathering of more than one person, to share HIV prevention messages which is in line with the national commitment to Ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The 2030 target is anchored on three zeros, that include Zero HIV related deaths, Zero new HIV infections by ensuring all people living with HIV are on treatment and virally suppressed and Zero stigma and discrimination.
The Uganda Aids Commission Principal Statistician, Brian Masimbi told a one-day capacity-building and HIV prevention dissemination engagement for journalists and District Communication officers from Kigezi Sub-region which took place on 23rd September 2026, at Riverside Hotel in Rukungiri Municipality that the spread is on increase.
While addressing a Media and District Communications Officers in the sensitization engagement, Masimbi said that although some districts have prevalence rates below the national average of about 4.7 per cent, the figures should not lead to complacency because HIV transmission is not evenly distributed within districts.
![It Works! How Single Mom Makes 3 Millions Weekly From Sports Betting [PROOF]](https://www.informer.co.ug/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Single-mum-300x204.webp)
He urged journalists and district officials to obtain data at sub-county level to identify communities with a high HIV burden and guide targeted prevention interventions.
According to the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) 2024 report, about 1,550,000 people are living with HIV in Uganda and out of these, 980,000 are female, 569,000 are male and 71,000 are children.
Masimbi said the report also indicates that about 19,000 people died from AIDS-related causes, including 8,000 females, 8,000 males and 2,900 children and this is equivalent to about 54 deaths every day or 384 every week.
Masimbi noted that understanding the factors behind the differences in prevalence among districts could help authorities strengthen interventions in areas with a higher burden and said HIV prevention should address both behavioural and social factors.
These include having multiple and concurrent sexual partnerships, HIV discordance, lack of disclosure of HIV status, transactional sex, low condom use, low uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision and alcohol and drug abuse.
He also said that alcohol and drug abuse can increase vulnerability to HIV by impairing people’s ability to make informed decisions about sexual behaviour and identified poverty, economic disparities and gender inequality as structural factors that can increase vulnerability, particularly among young women involved in transactional or age-disparate relationships.
The Uganda AIDS Commission revealed that in Kigezi Sub-region, Rukungiri District has the highest HIV prevalence at 8.1 per cent, followed by Kanungu District at 6 per cent, Kabale District is at 5.2 per cent, Rukiga District at 4.3 per cent, Rubanda District at 2.6 per cent and Kisoro District stands at 2 per cent.
Stakeholders were also concerned about the HIV burden in Kigezi and the engagement as District Communications Officers from Kigezi Sub-region in collaboration with the District Health Educators and HIV Focal Persons shared key HIV prevention activities implemented between February 2025 to September 2026.
Masimbi attributed the increase in HIV infections in the region to low condom use, multiple sexual partnerships, low rates of male circumcision, alcohol and drug abuse, and complacency among some people due to the availability of antiretroviral therapy.
He called for increased HIV prevention efforts, including condom use, HIV testing, male circumcision, and responsible sexual behaviour.
While speaking at at the event at the Chief Guest Rukungiri Municipality Deputy Mayor Hajjati Marka Sulaiti Turyamureeba called for stronger anti immorality laws to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation to help fight the spread of HIV/AIDS.
She also thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for being the champion of fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS saying that his strong massage has helped many people to avoid the deadly infection.
Hajjati Marka Sulaiti however called on the media to use their platform to dessiminate positive information about HIV/AIDS with fact that can help influence positive mindset change to help fight the spread of the virus.
She noted that information is power and the general public believes in what the media publish saying that if information is factual and educative, it will go a long way in combating the spread of infections.
